Implement draft device



IMPLEMENT DRAFT DEVICE Original Filed July 29, 1940 "I H I00 I I Ii 85 I I I I I l8 q 6 a I8 I I 0 1', I A INVENTORSI /I' OUIS A. PARADISE; RALPH L. ANDERSON 8: CHESTER RAY ARNOLD Patented May 30, 1944 IMPLEMENT DRAFT DEVICE Ralph L. Anderson, Chester Ray Arnold, and Louis'A. Paradise, Moline, Ill., assignors to Deere & Company, Moiine, 11]., a-corporatlon .of Illinois Original application July 29, 1940, Serial No. 348,128. Divided and this application October 29, 1941, Serial No. 416,938

11 (llaims.

The present invention relates to implement draft; devices, and has for its principal object the provision of a novel and improved draft device havlng a portion which is swingable laterally .between operating and transport positions, and is a. division of our application, Serial No. 348,128,

filed July 29, 1940.

A more specific object relates to the provision of a two-piece articulated draft member, one of which is laterally swingable from operating to transport positions, and the other of which is rigid with respect to the implement and carries the operating levers in a position convenient to the operator of the tractor to which the implement is to be coupled, but which levers are not interfered with when the draft member is changed from one position to another. A further related object has to do with the provision of a power shaft for transmitting power from the power take-off connection of the tractor to the operating mechanism on the implement, and a novel and improved. means for mounting the' power shaft on the articulated draft device so that the latter may be changed from operating to transport position without disconnecting the appended hereto, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a wheel supported implement frame and a draft device therefor embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the implement draft device, shown in operating position;

Figure 3 is a perspectiv view of the device shown in a transport position; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the forward portion of the draft device showing the support for the plow shaft bearing with the guard removed therefrom.

Referring now to the drawing, the implement frame used to illustrate this embodiment is that of a small combine of the straight through type, although draft devices employing the principles of the present invention can be used to advantage the like. The implement frame is indicated generally by the reference numeral 5 and comprises a transversely disposed main axle beam 6, at cpposite ends of which is journaled a pair of'supporting vwheels 1, 8, respectively. A portion of the body of the implement is indicated in broken lines at 9 and is supported on the axle 6 and on longitudinal and transverse frame members lo, I l, as described in our above-mentioned co-pending application.

A draft frame l5 extends forwardly from one end of the axle 6 and comprises a pair of forwardly and outwardly converging beams l6, ll, connected at their rear ends to the axle 5 at laterally spaced positions by means of gusset plates 88 and converging forwardly to an apex just outside of the stubbleward wheel I where they are connected together by a bolt l9 and also by suitable cross bracing means 20.

The forward end of the draft frame I5 is adapted to be connected to the drawbar of a tractor by means of a draft tongue 25, comprising a paircf upper and lower channel beams 26, 21, respectively, lying against the upper and lower surfaces of the outer draft beam l6 and pivotally connected thereto by means of a vertically disposed bolt 28, thus providing for lateralswinging movement of the draft tongue 25 relative to the frame l5. In normal operation, the draft tongue 25 extends forwardly in alignment with the outer draft beam l6 and is fixed thereto by means of a second vertical bolt 29, which extends through aligned apertures 30 in the draft beam l6 and in the channel members 26, 21, thus providing for towing the combine or other implement behind the tractor in offset relation on the right hand side thereof. When the implement is being transported from one field to another, however, along narrow roads through narrow gates, it is desirable that the machine trail directly behind the tractor and at such times the draft tongue is swung laterally to the right about the pivot bolt 28 after the securing bolt 29 has been removed. The draft on other implements such as corn pickers and 23,

The forward end of the draft tongue is con= nected to a hitch clevis 355 which is secured, as by welding, between the outer ends of the channel members 26, ll. A pivot bolt 36 is provided for pivotally coupling the clevis 35 to the drawbar (not shown) of the tractor. The two channel members 2t, 21 are interconnected by means of a vertical bracing web 37, which is welded therebetween and extends from the clevis rearwardly and terminates just aheadvof the apex of the draft frame it. The draft tongue 25 is braced and stifiened by a truss member 33 extending longitudinally of the draft tongue beneath the latter and having an upwardly extending leg 39 substantially at the center of the tongue.

The operating mechanismof the implement is driven from the power take-d shaft of the tree tor through a power shaft (it extending rearwardly along the draft member it. The forward end of the shaft at is journaled in a bearing member ti which is supported near the forward end of the draft tongue by means which provide a limited amount of flexibility of the power shaft $0 with respect to the draft tongue 25, to accommodate the lateral swinging movement of the draft tongue between its operating and transport positions. The bearing member ii is pivotally connected by means of a horizontal bolt 62 to a U-shaped supporting bracket d3 which embraces the bearing blocl: ll and is in tum pivotally supported for swinging movement about a vertical pivot bolt 44 upon an inverted U-shaped bracket 45, which is verticall adjustable with respect to a vertically extending standard member it. The standard member lit comprises a pair of upwardly extending strap members swlngably connected at their lower ends to the draft tongue 25 by means of a transversely disposed pivot bolt tl extending through a trunnion bearing at which is welded transversely in the web 3'5. The inverted U-shaped bracket 65 is secured in vertically adjusted position to the standard 36 by means of bolts 439 which can be shown), respectively.

The power shaft Mi comprises a forward tubu lar portion 65 and a rear portion of square cross section 66, which fits into the rear end of the tubular portion 65 in telescoping arrangement, but the two shaft portions 65, 66 are non-rotatable relative to each other and are therefore adapted to transmit power to the mechanism on the implement. The rear end of the square por= tion 66 is connected through a universal joint H to a stub shaft I2 which projects forwardly asaacse The forward end of the power shaft did and the universal joint or connected thereto, are

from a gear box 13' supported on the draft'frame shielded against accidental contact with the operator by means of an inverted protective channel member 15 and a hood member l6 supported on a pair of upwardly facing bosses ll on the top or the bearing member, cl. The bosses are provided with bolt holes it to which the shielding members l5, it are fixed by means of bolts it. To provide maximum safety, it is desirable to shield the entire length of the telescoping power shaft dd, but in order to provide a shield of that length which is r id enough to be durable, it is desirable to support the shield on the portion lb of the draft member which is rigid with respect to the combine body. Accordingly, we have provided an arched metal shield dd, the forward end of which is fixed to a supporting brace ti which is vertically adjustable relative to a vertical support as, to which the brace Si is secured by means of bolts 83 in vertically adjusted position. The shield support (32 extends downwardly along the outer side of the outer draft beam and is rigidly fixed thereto by means of a pair of securing bolts fi l. Inasmuch as no connection is made between the support i332 and the draft tongue 25, the latter can be swung laterally away from the support d2 without interference by the latter. By virtue of the adjustable bolt connection d3 between the supporting brace ti and the support t2, the shield 8b can be supported in vertically spaced relation to the power shaft dd, so that when the draft tongue 25 is swung laterally the power shaft id swings out from under the shield til. The rear end of the shield 88 is supported on the gear case it and islsecured thereto by suitable bolts 85. In the transport position of the draft tongue, the power shaft is normally stationary and therefore the shield is not required for the protection of the operator.

A manually adjusted lever be is pfovided for adjusting the harvester platform or gathering unit vertically relative to the implement body during operation, and it is desirable that this lever be mounted as far forward on the draft,

frame it as possible but should not swing latenally with the draft tongue 25 because of the complication of connections which would be neces= sary if the'lever at were mounted on the swine able member 25 of the draft device. The lever 9b is pivotally supported by means of a pivot bolt on an inverted U-shaped bracket as, the legs of which are bolted to the outer surface of the draft be it by means of bolts 86, at, respectively. Thus, the bracket t2 and the lever 9% do not interfere with the draft tongue 25 when the latter is swung to the transport position,

The upper edge of the bracket at is notched at 93 to engage the latch mechanism 9b of the lever, to hold the latter in adjusted position. The brackets or, or fixed against the side of the outer draft beam 66, form a stop which limits the outward swinging movement of the draft tongue 25 to a position directly in line with the outer draft beam it.

The lever to is provided with an upwardly turned end so, which is operatively connected by a link or rod or and an arm at to a rock shaft 9%, which is journaled on suitable supporting brackets Hill in a transverse position on the two draft beams I6, ll, respectively. A lifting arm llii is fixed to the rock shaft or and can be connected by suitable means to the platform or other gathering mechanism to raise or lower the same under control of the lever to.

We claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, a main frame, a rigid draft frame fixed thereto and extending forwardly therefrom, a draft tongue pivotally connected to said draft frame for lateral swinging movement relative thereto between at least two positions, means for fixing said tongue in each of said positions, a power shaft extending forwardly from said machine along said draft frame, means including a universal joint for supporting the rear end of said shaft on one of said frames, 9. bearing for the forward end of said shaft, and swivel means for mounting said bearing on said tongue providing for pivotal movement of said bearing about a vertical axis when said power shaft swings laterally with the tongue.

2. In a machine of the class described, a main frame, a rigid draftframe fixed thereto and extending forwardly therefrom, a draft tongue pivotally connected to said draft frame for lateral swinging movement relative thereto between at least two positions, means for fixing said tongue in each of said positions, a power shaft extending forwardly from said machine along said draft frame, means including a universal joint for supporting the rear end of said shaft on one of said frames, a bearing for the forward end of said shaft, a support for said bearing mounted on said draft tongue by means providing a limited amount of movement of said support V longttudinally of said tongue, and means pivotally connecting said bearing to said support for horizontal angular movement relative thereto when said tongue swings laterally.

3. In a machine of the class described, a main frame, a rigid draft frame fixed thereto and extending forwardly therefrom, a draft tongue pivotally connected to said draft frame for lateral swinging movement relative thereto between at least two positions, means for fixing said tongue in each of said positions, a power shaft extending forwardly from said machine along said draft frame, means including a universal joint for supporting the rear end of said shaft on one of said frames, a bearing for the forward end of 'said shaft, a support for said bearing mounted on said draft tongue, a vertically adjustable pivot mounting attached t said support, and means pivotally connecting said bearing to said pivot mounting for horizontal angular movement, relative thereto when said tongue swings laterally.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1, including the further provision of a safety guard for said shaft rigidly mounted. on said draft frame and spaced above said shaft to permit the latter to be swung away from said guard.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1, including the further provision of a safety guard rigidly mounted on said draft frame to cover the portion of said shaft above the latter during operation, and spaced above said shaft to permit the latter to be swung away from said guard when the tongue and shaft are swung laterally, and a safety guard fixed to said bearing and extending over the forward portion of the shaft ahead ofsaid first guard.

6. In a machine of the class described, a main frame, a rigid draft frame fixed thereto and extending forwardly therefrom, a draft tongue pivotally connected to said draft, frame, for lateral swinging movement relative thereto between at least two positions, means for fixing said tongue in each of said positions, a power shaft extending'forwardly from said machine along said draft frame, means including a universal Joint for supporting the rear end of said shaft on one of said frames, a bearing for the forward end of said shaft, a support for said bearing on said pivoted draft tongue whereby said power shaft swings laterally with said tongue, and a control lever pivoted on the draft frame adjacent said tongue whereby the latter swings away from said lever.

7. In a machine of the class described, a main frame, a draft frame connected thereto and rigidly held against lateral swinging movement relative to said main frame, a draft tongue connected to said draft frame on a vertical pivot disposed rearwardly of the forward end of said draft frame, said tongue extending forwardly beyond the end of said draft frame in overlapping arrangement, fastening means spaced forwardly of said pivot for securing said tongue to said draft frame in either of a plurality of relative angular positions, and a control lever mounted on said draft frame adjacent said tongue and ahead of said pivot whereby said tongue swings away from said lever in one of said angular positions.

8. In a harvester, a draft frame comprising a pair of forwardly converging beams connected together at their forward ends, a draft tongue comprising a pair of vertically spaced members lying along the upper and lower sides, respectively, of one of said beams and extending forwardly therefrom, means interconnecting said members at their forward ends, pivot meansextending vertically through said beam and said members adjacent the rear ends of the latter providing for horizontal swinging movement of said tongue relative to said frame, means on said draft frame spaced forwardly of said pivot means for securing said tongue in laterally adjusted position and a control lever assembly mounted on the side of one of said beams adjacent said tongue and forming a stop to limit the swinging of said tongue in one direction, whereby said tongue swings away from said lever in the other direction.

9. In combination, a draft member, a power shaft associated therewith, and a support for said shaft comprising a pair of laterally spaced, generally vertical members pivotally mounted on said draft member by means providing for fore and aft swinging movement about a common transverse axis, a bearing in which said shaft is journaled, a U-shaped bracket disposed in inverted position between said vertical members, bolt means for adjustably attaching said bracket to said vertical members at several vertically spaced positions relative thereto, a second bracket pivotally mounted on the central portion of said U-shaped bracket providingfor movement relative thereto about a generally vertical axis, and means for mounting said bearing on said second bracket.

10. In combination, a draft member, a power shaft associated therewith, and a support for saidshaft comprising a pair of laterally spaced, generally vertical members pivotally mounted on said draft member by means providing for fore and aft swinging movement'about a common transverse axis, a bearing in which said shaft is journaled, a U-shaped bracket disposed in inverted position between said vertical members,

erally vertical axis, said bearing being disposed 39 between the legs of seid second icmciset, one

Q 1 memes means for pivo mounting seid bearing on said legs providing for i s; or ovemeni; about a, irverse axis, I

11. The combination set forth in claim 36, including the further provision of a safety some rigidly fixed to said bearing and extending 1Giigitudineliy over e portion of said shaft.

Y meow. 1 A, PARADEfiE. 

